In the article, Attorney General Martha Coakley stated that a settlement of $12.1 million will be distributed among motorcyclists from five insurance companies in the state after her office investigated and found evidence of intentionally overestimated premiums.  These companies had driven up premiums for motorcyclists with “inflated and un-depreciated motorcycle values.”

Earlier in 2010, other settlements were reached with additional insurance companies for their covered motorcyclists, bringing the total of recovered money to consumers to nearly $39 million, with about $1.5 million headed back to the Commonwealth.

It was reported that Coakley stated the investigation began with one motorcyclist’s complaint and the investigation revealed many, many more.

If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident, download Attorney Thomas M. Kiley’s free motorcycle book BEFORE you sign any insurance forms or hire a lawyer,

To contact an experienced Massachusetts motorcycle lawyer, call the toll-free number 1-800-410-2769 for a FREE Consultation.

Going a few months without riding a motorcycle is a form of torture for some bikers. It doesn’t matter whether you ride a sport bike or cruiser, the need to ride affects all bikers in very similar ways. That’s why when the weather gets warm, bikers flock to the streets as fast as they can.

If you are preparing to hit the road again for the first time in a few months, try to cage your enthusiasm for a day or so to make sure you and your bike are ready.

• Did you winterize your bike? Honestly ask yourself if you took time to properly store your motorcycle for the winter. If you simply parked in the bike garage in November, it’s likely that your bike is not in working condition anymore. If it starts, go straight to your motorcycle mechanic or dealer for service.

• T-clocs: If you properly stored your bike, then make sure to do a thorough check of the bike before hitting the road as outlined in your motorcycle safety course. If you find any problems, either fix it or see a professional for service.

• Accessories: Check your gloves, boots, jackets, eye-wear, and other accessories to make sure they are in working order. At minimum, make sure your bike has tools and a motorcycle tire repair kit for repair on the road. Also, update your motorcycle insurance if you reduced coverage during the winter months.

• Physical Condition: If you have gained or lost weight over the winter, some of your gear may not fit correctly. If you had an injury or medical condition that might affect your ability to handle your motorcycle, consult with your doctor before riding.

• Test Ride: Take a short test run on familiar roads if everything looks good from your spring check-up to reacquaint yourself with your bike. If you hear strange noises, feel a wiggle that shouldn’t be there, or something doesn’t seem right, have your bike checked out immediately.

Hi, I’m Tom Kiley, and when my buddies and I go riding we always put safety first. Get a free copy of my motorcycle book for some valuable riding tips. And if you or loved one are ever hurt in the Massachusetts area, contact the Kiley Law Group for legal advice from a real motorcycle attorney.

Bikers are a diverse breed and come from every walk of life. Motorcycling is one of those rare lifestyles that appeals to a very wide audience. This is one of the main reasons why bikers get along regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they ride.

Motorcycle magazines tend to reflect the homogeneous nature of bikers and most magazines focus mainly on motorcycles. Magazines like Hot Bike, American Iron, the Motorcyclist, and Cycle World focus their content on motorcycles and motorcycle related topics. By focusing on bikes, their circulation appeals to the widest group of bikers possible.

Over the years however, there has been a need for more niche-oriented content.

With the recent growth of women in the motorcycle world, there has been a boom in web based content for female bikers. Many of these websites not only feature motorcycle-related content but also focus on the stories of the women who ride.

African Americans bikers have been a large part of the American motorcycling community but there has been a surprising lack of content dedicated to the stories of Black bikers.

Until now.

The Black Biker Magazine is the brainchild of Los Angeles based creative talent, Constant Walker. Walker, an avid biker and music and TV industry insider, decided to mobilize his talent and contacts to create a comprehensive magazine website. The magazine will provide African American bikers with a valuable source of information.

Due to economic considerations, the launch of The Black Biker Magazine has been postponed but will launch on April 2010.  Pre-launch information about the magazine can be found on both Twitter and Facebook.

Distracted driving also risks lives. As bikers, we tend to think about the impact of distracted motorists more than car drivers because we realize that even minor motorcycle accidents could have life changing implications.

This certainly was true for the Zaffke family. In May 2009, Lora Hunt killed motorcycle enthusiast Anita Zaffke in Lake Zurich, IL; who was driving while painting her fingernails. Zaffke was stopped at a red light and Hunt rear-ended her motorcycle at about 50 MPH.

By all accounts Zaffke was a pillar of her community, an excellent mother, and a safety-conscious biker. In May of 2006, Zaffke embarked on a motorcycle road trip she called her ‘epic journey’. Her 2 week, 5000 mile trip took her from the Chicago area to Vancouver, British Columbia and back. During this trip, she wrote in her journal, took photographs, and camped as a means to gain perspective on her life.

To honor his mother and to shed light on this problem, Zaffke’s son Greg created the Black Nail Brigade. This motorcycle safety organization is working hard to make sure that people in the greater Illinois area and across the United States are aware of the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death and the scourge of distracted drivers.

The case against Lora Hunt also brings to light some interesting legal considerations. There are arguments suggesting that while distracted driving is a terrible practice, it is not necessarily criminal. This argument will be center stage at Hunt’s trial for the death of Anita Zaffke scheduled for May 3, 2010; almost a year from the date of Zaffke’s death.

On Saturday, May 1 2010, the Black Nail Brigade is sponsoring an Epic Ride to commemorate Anita Zaffke’s life and to replicate her ride from 2006. If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to this cause, their website provides opportunities to donate or purchase apparel.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact motorcycle enthusiast and Andover personal injury lawyer, Tom Kiley.

In the wake of the Haitian earthquake disaster, the global community has come together to provide much needed support to the people of Haiti. This horrific disaster has shown that even in the worst of times, people across the world can connect and help their fellow man.

This holds true for the biker community too. Over the years, bikers have shown they can come together to help others in need. Usually, bikers come together to help mainly other bikers.

Over the past few months though, the motorcycle community has come together to do its part to help the Haitian relief effort. Individuals, motorcycle clubs, motorcycle accessory retailers, and large motorcycle manufacturers have all pitched in to help.

Harley Davidson donated 28 new Buell and Harley Davidson motorcycles to the government of Haiti to aid the relief effort. The motorcycles were delivered to their facility in the Dominican Republic and then delivered to the United Nations Stabilization Mission. Once the mission is complete, the motorcycles will be a permanent donation from the Motor Company to the government of Haiti.

Hot Leathers donated $1 from every online purchase from January 20th to February 14^th to the Haitian relief effort through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross used their donation to deploy personnel, provide supplies, and to contribute financial support to Haiti.

Spearheaded by Haitian born American actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ride 4 Haiti on February 27^th benefited Hollywood Unites for Haiti. This biker event united individuals and companies in southern California to aid the relief effort. With thousands of bikers and hundreds of businesses and volunteers joining this ongoing biker effort, financial and resource donations have made a positive impact on the relief efforts.

It’s great to see the motorcycle community come together to make a positive contribution to the Haitian relief effort.

Since bikers vary so much, there are many names that bikers have for different groups within the biker community. Some of these labels are cool and others are not so cool.

One of the not so cool names for a biker is rich urban biker or R.U.B.

RUBs are a class of biker that many people feel cast bikers in a bad light. RUBs are seen as people who buy expensive motorcycles not for the love of riding but to have a cool ‘toy’ to show off to their friends and colleagues.

For clarification, you might be a RUB if:

• You bought your bike because a buddy has a similar one: Buying a motorcycle because you want to keep up with you friends is bound to get you labeled as a RUB.
• Your first bike cost over $40,000: It’s great if you can afford an expensive Big Dog Motorcycle or Orange County Chopper for your first bike but you will probably get labeled as a RUB since your riding skills likely won’t match your bike.
• Gear: Bikers wear leather jackets and big boots while RUBs wear tennis shoes and polo shirts. Wearing non-riding gear on your expensive bike will get you labeled as a RUB, and is also pretty dangerous.
• You only ride your bike to local hang outs: Motorcycles are meant to be ridden and if you’re only going a few miles once per week to the local bike night, you are probably a RUB.
• Your bike is overly flashy: RUBs tend to make their bikes as eye catching as possible since their typical goal is to get attention.
• You don’t know any bikers: Since RUBs have no really interest in motorcycles, they also have no interest in knowing a bunch of bikers.

If you fall into this category or someone calls you a RUB, don’t sweat it. There is nothing wrong with being a casual biker who happens to have the money to have a nice bike. Just ride more, meet some bikers, and pretty soon you’ll be considered a regular.

This event is truly a must for motorcycle enthusiasts. Whether you ride or drive to this event, you owe it to yourself to take in the sights, sounds, and activities of the week. Although it can be a very crowded event, you’ll find that the vast majority of people are friendly and looking to have a great time.

Still, there are some precautions to take in order to make sure things go smoothly. Here are a few last minute suggestions:

• Accommodations: It is probably too late to find accommodations in the Daytona area so why not stay in the Orlando area? It is less than a one-hour drive or ride to Daytona and you may be able to get a cheap rate.
• Sobriety: Save the drinking for when you done riding or driving for the day. Once parked and you don’t have to deal with extreme traffic, then relax and enjoy yourself.
• Riding vs. Driving: Riding a motorcycle during Bike Week can be fun but frustrating. Slow traffic, limited parking, and the large number of bikers can be a dangerous situation. At last year’s event, there were 7 fatalities.
• Days to attend: Bike Week is most well attended during the weekends but it is still a great event during the week. With slightly smaller crowds, easier parking, and less traffic, going to Bike Week during the week is a great option.
• Thieves: Don’t think you can’t be a victim of motorcycle theft. Be sure to secure your bike and make sure to follow common sense when parking and leaving your bike. If you are considering motorcycle insurance, you might want to get it before going to Bike Week. Make sure to review theft coverage.

With all of the people, events, bikers, parties, and traffic, Bike Week also has lots of dangers. Every year, there are crashes, injuries, fatalities, and theft. It would be a shame to ruin your experience at Bike Week by being careless.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to attend Bike Week this year:

• Ride with people you know: The temptation will be there to ride with other people who have cool bikes and want to increase the size of their pack. Don’t do it. Biking with strangers whose riding habits you don’t know if a sure fire way to get hurt.
• Secure your motorcycle: Bikers from all over will be at Bike Week and so will motorcycle thieves. Make sure to lock your bike and secure it as best you can. If you don’t, your bike could fall into the hands of a thief.
• Stay sober: Drinks will be flowing during Bike Week but make sure not to ride if you had too many. There will be too many bikes, cars, and pedestrians around to even attempt to ride in the wrong state of mind.
• Obey all traffic laws: Excessive speeding, racing, noise, and parking violations hurt all bikers and give us all a bad name. Make sure to respect local law enforcement and the residence of Daytona Beach because traffic/safety laws will be aggressively enforced. Remember, not everyone on Daytona Beach is a motorcycle enthusiast.
• Pay attention: There will be lots of sights to see but keep your focus on the road as you ride. With all the traffic, a brief distraction can cause a major accident.

Daytona Bike Week is a great event and I suggest every biker attend at least once. While there, make sure to have both fun and safety in mind.

Luckily, women have not been intimidated or overwhelmed. They have been flocking to motorcycles in record numbers. Without the large influx of women bikers, the motorcycle industry would be in serious trouble.

Harley Davidson has been making it easier for women to get into the world of motorcycles.

Selected Harley Davidson dealerships are sponsoring women only Garage Party events. These after hour events are filled with tips and seminars to help women riders learn key aspects of motorcycling and meet other experience and rookie bikers. These events make it very easy for new riders to build the knowledge and confidence required to handle the open road with riders of all types.

Along with learning about key elements of motorcycling, these events are also geared to introduce women to new and used Harley Davidson motorcycles. Never has Harley offered a larger range of motorcycles that fit a wider array of riders. Bikes like the Fat Boy Lo, the Sportster line, and some Softail models make excellent first bike choices for bikers looking for low seat high and lighter weight.

March 2010 will be Harley’s Garage Party month and they have stepped up the events to the next level. Attendees of Garage Party events can register to win a weekend getaway with fitness guru and Harley Davidson enthusiast, Jillian Michaels, from TV’s The Biggest Loser.

This weekend getaway will feature participating in Harley’s Edge Rider Program, motivation presentations, and a spa day for the winner and several friends.

There’s nothing to lose in attending one of these events. Why not check it out with some friends and find out if motorcycling is the life for you.

Biker parents love the fact their kids love motorcycles too. They usually encourage their interest. Biker parents love to buy motorcycle apparel and accessories for kids, and have been known to buy electric motorized motorcycles for their young children so they enjoy riding their own bike.

Biker parents should also remember teach their kids about motorcycle safety. Not only should biker parents tell their kids about rider safety but about all the dangers of motorcycles and why those safety measures are important.

Motorcycle safety for kids: Kids at a young age need to understand motorcycle safety. The sooner they know about rider safety, the better they will be in the future if they choose to ride motorcycles. It’s never too early to start teaching children about motorcycle safety.

Dangers of hot pipes: Teach your kids that motorcycle pipes are very hot and can cause very bad burns. Teach them to stay away from bikes that were recently ridden. Always teach them to be extremely careful before touching a motorcycle. It’s best to keep your bike covered at all times if you have small children.

Respecting a motorcycle’s weight: If a motorcycle falls on a small child, it would be impossible for them to move it. Children must be taught not to play around a parked motorcycle because of how much they weigh.

Field trip: Take your kids and their friends on a field trip to your local motorcycle dealer or a motorcycle event for kids. You’d be surprised how much they can learn and how this knowledge can protect them around your bike at home.

Motorcycles are great fun for the whole family. Make sure that your kids both enjoy and respect your motorcycle.